g, which belied his steady
and resolute character, astonished and dejected both Madeline and her
father. Sometimes they thought that his situation had shaken his reason,
or that the horrible suspicion of having murdered the uncle of his
intended wife, made him look upon themselves with a secret shudder, and
that they were mingled up in his mind by no unnatural, though unjust
confusion, with the causes of his present awful and uncertain state.
With the generality of the world, these two tender friends believed
Houseman the sole and real murderer, and fancied his charge against Aram
was but the last expedient of a villain to ward punishment from himself,
by imputing crime to another. Naturally, then, they frequently sought to
turn the conversation upon Houseman, and on the different circumstances
that had brought him acquainted with Aram; but on this ground the
prisoner seemed morbidly sensitive, and averse to detailed discussion.
His narration, however, such as it was, threw much light upon
certain matters on which Madeline and Lester were before anxious and
inquisitive.

"Houseman is, in all ways," said he, with great and bitter vehemence,
"unredeemed, and beyond the calculations of an ordinary wickedness; we
knew each other from our relationship, but seldom met, and still more
rarely held long intercourse together. After we separated, when I left
Knaresbro', we did not meet for years. He sought me at Grassdale; he was
poor, and implored assistance; I gave him all within my power; he sought
me again, nay, more than once again, and finding me justly averse to
yielding to his extortionate demands, he then broached the purpose
he has now effected; he threatened--you hear me--you understand--he
threatened me with this charge--the murder of Daniel Clarke, by that
name alone I knew the deceased. The menace, and the known villainy of
the man, agitated me beyond expression. What was I? a being who lived
without the world--who knew not its ways--who desired only rest! The
menace haunted me--almost maddened! Your nephew has told you, you say,
of broken words, of escaping emotions, which he has noted, even to
suspicion, in me; you now behold the cause! Was it not sufficient? My
life, nay more, my fame, my marriage, Madeline's peace of mind, all
depended on the uncertain fury or craft of a wretch like this! The idea
was with me night and day; to avoid it, I resolved on a sacrifice; you
may blame me, I was weak, yet I thought then n